Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-04-27

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GORE, a laborer, in the employ of Mr..
James Fisher, Jr., at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va, in the month of April,
1855. Its weight was 27.7 carats.
The old writer's mention imitation of
diamonds by subjecting the sapphire,
amethyst, topaz or chrysolite to fire,
by which the color was extracted and
the brilliancy kept. It is common
error that the diamond will glisten in
the dark. No more light emanates
from it than from any other stone.
Master Thomas Vicols gives this
opinion of the virtues of the diamond.
He says: cit will make men rich and
eloquent; it will preserve from thunder
and lightning; it will create dreams,
keep men chaste, hinder fascination,
stop witchcraft and make men invisi-
BILE.
The principal diamond mines are the
districts of the East Indies, extending
from Cape Comorin to Bengal, and the
Brazilian localities. They are found in
the Ural, Russia, and upon the western
coast of Africa. Diamonds have been
found in Georgia recently and in Wis
consin, SO it is said. In the year 1928
diamonds were found in Brazil, at Te-
juco, on the Rio San Francisco.
In 1871 diamond of 1873 carats was
found, on the Rio de Abaite, by three
criminals who had escaped from Rio
Janeiro. Knowing it to be diamond,
but not having any chance of disposing
Of it, they consulted a priest, who adj
vised them to throw themselves upon
the mercy of the Emperor and present
their jewel. They did SO and were
pardoned, his Majesty pocketing the
diamond.
It is only within two hundred years
that any system in the valuation of
diamonds has been arrived at. In Eu-
rope, until within the past hundred
years, there was no scale of value The
old manner of valuation, thus: If a
diamond of a single carat was worth
$40, one of carats was worth $16O,
one of 3 carats $500, is exploded; as
diamonds become more plenty the
quality determines the value, that
ranges from 500 to $500 per carat.
Much depends upon the taste and
skill of the lapidary in producing finely
cut, clear stones. Having decided
upon the form he will cut the stone,
he next makes model in lead, which
model rests continually before him as
guide to his labors Cutting is a work
of great labor and time. Of the rela-
tive value of the cut and uncut dia-
mOnd there can be no positive cer-
tainty, though it is understood that the
finished stone is worth three times the
rough stone.
The diamond is cold to the touch and
can not be looked through, as can all
limitations. Before cut It's coat is
rough and looks like greenish glass.
Until the year 1916 the diamond was
worn uncut. Many stones, supposed
to be the most beautiful in the world,
are in that state. Holland for long
period held a monopoly OF diamond
cutting. England gradually came in,
and finally the United States have
turned out some very nice work. New
York and Chicago are the headquarters
for diamond-cutting.
The composition of the paste or Paris
brilliant is fine, pure white glass-sand
or slick, the best of which is found in
Rhode Island and exported to Paris for
that use; potash borax, red-lead and
arsenic; these substances are put into a
crucible, which is kept at great heat
for twenty-four hours or longer. The
mixture which results is called ''strass;"
it is cast into molds, cut and polished
the same as glass, and thus receives all
the facets and limitations of the real
stone. These briliiants have the rich
ness and refraction of the true diamond,
but not its hardness; few months
wear takes away their brilliancy, the
air corrodes their surface An imita-
ton can be readily detected, either by
the crucible or the file A file will
make no impression upon the genuine
diamond, neither Will the test of fire,
but that must be used with care.-Cbi-
c0qO Ne1US.